HADITHA, Iraq (Aug. 31, 2006) -- Marines who knew Staff Sgt. Jason C. Ramseyer will tell you that he loved three things – his family, his Marines and going to the gym.

Ramseyer, 28, died April 21, 2006, in the western Al Anbar Province of Iraq when a roadside bomb exploded near him.

To honor the fallen warrior, Marines from Ramseyer’s unit, the Hawaii- based 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, which arrived in Iraq in March, dedicated the make-shift gym in the Marines’ headquarters – the Haditha Dam – in honor of the Lenoir, N.C., native.

In a simple ceremony Aug. 20, 2006, the Marines named the gym “Ram’s Dam Gym.” The small gym, which consists of various workout benches, free weights, televisions and a radio, features new equipment and enclosure around the facility.

Since the Marines’ arrival in Iraq, they have honored their fallen by naming facilities after them. The Marines assigned to the battalion’s Weapons Company named their forward operating base “Camp Lueken,” after Cpl. Eric Lueken, 23, who also perished in a roadside blast, just one day after Ramseyer was killed.

On the highest level of the Haditha Dam, the Marines’ communications shop at the dam was named after Cpl. Andres Aguilar, 21, who died in a vehicle accident April 2, 2006. Aguilar, from Victoria, Texas, and Lueken, from Dubois, Ind., were both assigned to 3rd Battalion.

The Marines hung a plaque near the gym’s entrance, officially commemorating it to Ramseyer’s memory.

A partially completed painting of Ramseyer is just below the plaque.

“Staff Sgt. Ramseyer loved his job and the gym,” said Sgt. Michael Ferguson, 23, who served as a platoon sergeant on the Jump CP, the battalion commander’s personal security element, with Ramseyer. “He went to the gym every chance he could get.”

Ramseyer was the platoon commander for the battalion’s Jump CP. He was hand-selected by Lt. Col. Norman L. Cooling, the battalion’s commanding officer, for this position – a duty his Marines say he performed with consummate professionalism and unparalleled valor.

Ramseyer was responsible for providing security to the commanding officer and his staff. He and his Marines served as a quick reaction force that was equipped to respond to combat situations on a moment’s notice.

He frequently traveled Al Anbar Province’s roads, and was exposed to small arms fire and roadside bombs.

Although Ramseyer, a nine-year veteran of the Marine Corps, was a common site in the dam’s gym, Marines say they will remember him as a family man who would never put his Marines in a dangerous situation that he was not willing to put himself in first.

“His Marines respected him because he treated them, regardless of rank, with the respect and dignity they deserved. He was a great friend and a great Marine,” said Gunnery Sgt. Michael Kiernan, 33, company gunnery sergeant for the battalion’s Weapons Company. “We all miss him.”

Kiernan wears a “Hero Bracelet” on his right wrist bearing Staff Sgt. Ramseyer’s name - something he said he “will never take off.”

Ferguson said he and Ramseyer would often have competitions on the bench press and motivated each other to keep physically fit.

“When we were not on missions, we were in the gym,” said Ferguson. “He knew how to motivate all his Marines. He was a true leader and it is just not the same without him.”

Now, as long as Marines are in Iraq and living in the Haditha Dam, they will be reminded of Ramseyer every time they enter the gym, said Ferguson.

Marines here agree that the naming of the gym was the best way they could honor Ramseyer because he spent most of his off-time in the gym.

“We all miss him,” said Ferguson. “Now we will be reminded of his sacrifices every time we go to the gym. He will never be forgotten.”

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Staff Sgt. Jason C. Ramseyer, pictured here, was killed in action April 21, 2006, in a roadside blast in Haditha, Iraq. The Lenoir, N.C., native, who served with the Hawaii-based 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment in Iraq's western Al Anbar Province, was honored recently when the Marines named a refurbished weight room in their headquarters building after Ramseyer. The new gym is known as 'Ram's Dam Gym.'Since March, the Marines, who are currently deployed to the western Al Anbar Province of Iraq, have named establishments after their fallen comrades, the most recent being the gym in the Haditha Dam, which was dedicated to Ramseyer. In a simple ceremony Aug. 20, 2006, the Marines named the gym in Haditha Dam – “Ram’s Dam Gym” – in memory of Ramseyer. The small gym, which consists of various workout benches, free weights, televisions and a radio, features new equipment and enclosure around the facility. The Marines hung a plaque near the gym’s entrance, officially commemorating it to Ramseyer’s memory. Photo by: Courtesy of 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment

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The recently refurbished “Ram’s Dam Gym” located in the Marines’ headquarters at Haditha Dam, in Haditha, Iraq, was dedicated to the memory of Staff Sgt. Jason C. Ramseyer, 28, who died April 21, 2006, in a roadside blast in Haditha, Iraq. Since March, the Marines, who are currently deployed to the western Al Anbar Province of Iraq, have named establishments after their fallen comrades, the most recent being the gym in the Haditha Dam, which was dedicated to Ramseyer. In a simple ceremony Aug. 20, 2006, the Marines named the gym in Haditha Dam – “Ram’s Dam Gym” – in memory of Ramseyer. The small gym, which consists of various workout benches, free weights, televisions and a radio, features new equipment and enclosure around the facility. The Marines hung a plaque near the gym’s entrance, officially commemorating it to Ramseyer’s memory. Photo by: Sgt. Roe F. Seigle

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The recently refurbished “Ram’s Dam Gym” located in the Marines’ headquarters at Haditha Dam, in Haditha, Iraq, boasts a partially-finished drawing dedicated to Staff Sgt. Jason C. Ramseyer in the entrance Ramseyer, 28, died April 21, 2006 in a roadside blast. Since March, the Marines, who are currently deployed to the western Al Anbar Province of Iraq, have named establishments after their fallen comrades, the most recent being the gym in the Haditha Dam, which was dedicated to Ramseyer. In a simple ceremony Aug. 20, 2006, the Marines named the gym in Haditha Dam – “Ram’s Dam Gym” – in memory of Ramseyer. The small gym, which consists of various workout benches, free weights, televisions and a radio, features new equipment and enclosure around the facility. The Marines hung a plaque near the gym’s entrance, officially commemorating it to Ramseyer’s memory. Photo by: Sgt. Roe F. Seigle

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Sgt. Michael Ferguson, 23, police sergeant assigned to the Hawaii-based Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, curls a dumbbell in the recently refurbished “Ram’s Dam Gym” located in the Marines’ headquarters at Haditha Dam, in Haditha, Iraq Since March, the Marines, who are currently deployed to the western Al Anbar Province of Iraq, have named establishments after their fallen comrades, the most recent being the gym in the Haditha Dam, which was dedicated to Ramseyer. In a simple ceremony Aug. 20, 2006, the Marines named the gym in Haditha Dam – “Ram’s Dam Gym” – in memory of Ramseyer. The small gym, which consists of various workout benches, free weights, televisions and a radio, features new equipment and enclosure around the facility. The Marines hung a plaque near the gym’s entrance, officially commemorating it to Ramseyer’s memory. Photo by: Sgt. Roe F. Seigle

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Sgt. Michael Ferguson, 23, police sergeant assigned to the Hawaii-based Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, takes a moment to reflect on a friend and fallen comrade, Staff Sgt. Jason C. Ramseyer, 28, who died April 21, 2006 in a roadside blast. Since March, the Marines, who are currently deployed to the western Al Anbar Province of Iraq, have named establishments after their fallen comrades, the most recent being the gym in the Haditha Dam, which was dedicated to Ramseyer. In a simple ceremony Aug. 20, 2006, the Marines named the gym in Haditha Dam – “Ram’s Dam Gym” – in memory of Ramseyer. The small gym, which consists of various workout benches, free weights, televisions and a radio, features new equipment and enclosure around the facility. The Marines hung a plaque near the gym’s entrance, officially commemorating it to Ramseyer’s memory. Photo by: Sgt. Roe F. Seigle

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Marines assigned to the Hawaii-based 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment dedicated a communications shop to Cpl. Andres Aguilar, a 21-year-old Marine from Victoria, Texas, who died in a vehicle accident April 2, 2006, in Haditha, Iraq. Since March, the Marines, who are currently deployed to the western Al Anbar Province of Iraq, have named establishments after their fallen comrades, the most recent being the gym in the Haditha Dam, which was dedicated to Staff Sgt. Jason C. Ramseyer. Ramseyer, 28, of Lenoir, N.C., died April 21, 2006, from a roadside bomb in Haditha. In a simple ceremony Aug. 20, 2006, the Marines named the gym in Haditha Dam – “Ram’s Dam Gym” – in memory of Ramseyer. The small gym, which consists of various workout benches, free weights, televisions and a radio, features new equipment and enclosure around the facility. The Marines hung a plaque near the gym’s entrance, officially commemorating it to Ramseyer’s memory. Photo by: Sgt. Roe F. Seigle

Marine Corps News

Marine’s quick thinking saved lives, comrades say

Aug. 14, 2006

By Sgt. Roe F. Seigle, Regimental Combat Team7

BAGHDADI, Iraq (Aug. 14, 2006) -- The quick thinking, coupled with a series of well-aimed shots, by a Marine on post saved lives July 27, 2006, according to Marines and Iraqi soldiers serving here.

Cpl. Jeff Globis’ split-second decision to verbally warn near-by Marines and Iraqi soldiers of an approaching suicide bomber while he was standing post at a military outpost here allowed others to avoid a potentially life-threatening explosion.

Manning an observation point at the combat outpost, the 23-year-old infantryman saw the speeding truck break through the base’s protective barriers. Globis opened fire on the vehicle, which was loaded with hundreds of pounds of explosives, and warned others to take cover – acts which many here say saved their lives

Globis, a team leader assigned to the Hawaii-based Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, said he knew the truck was a suicide bomber as soon as it turned a corner and attempted to drive through the outpost’s protective barriers.

“I only had a few seconds to act, so I fired four shots through the windshield as soon as he crashed through the first protective barrier,” said Globis, a native of Wynthrop Harbor, Ill. “When the truck stopped, I warned all the Marines and soldiers to move as far away from the front of the building as possible.”

Globis’s determinations were soon confirmed – the truck detonated and part of the roof of the outpost collapsed. No Marines or soldiers were killed because they had time to move away, avoiding the brunt of the blast, thanks to Globis’ verbal warning.

However, Globis, a 2002 graduate of Zion Benton High School, refuses to take credit for saving the Marines’ and soldiers’ lives that day because he “was just doing what any Marine would have done in that situation.”

Staff Sgt. Richard Charley, 29, disagrees with Globis and says that many Marines and soldiers are still alive because of his quick thinking.

“Globis saved several peoples’ lives that day,” said Charley, a platoon sergeant. “He eliminated the driver of that vehicle before he could penetrate further into the compound and completely destroy the building.”

Globis will be awarded for his actions that day, but it is undetermined which award he will receive, said Charley, a native of Bishop, Calif.

This is not the first time Globis has potentially saved other Marines’ or soldiers’ lives since he deployed to Iraq in March.

A few weeks prior to the suicide bombing, Globis was riding in a humvee during a patrol through the city. Moments before the humvee drove over a pressure-detonated improvised explosive device, Globis said he noticed it from the corner of his eye and had the driver stop.

Upon inspection, Globis and the other Marines noticed the front tire of the vehicle was literally inches away from the roadside bomb.

“Globis has been exposed to a lot of danger since he arrived in Iraq, but he has remained dependable and mature,” said Charley. “Because of this, his subordinates and I have the utmost confidence in him.”

Recently, Globis was selected to be an infantry advisor for the Military Transition Team here. Now he spends his days training Iraqi soldiers – who are making notable progress as they continue to progress towards operating independent of his unit’s support, he said.

“The soldiers are stepping up and taking charge when we are on patrol,” said Globis. “They want to succeed.”

“Ahmed,” a soldier who was slightly injured in the blast from the suicide bomber said Globis is a great leader and motivates the soldiers to fight the insurgency. He also said that he is alive today because Globis saved his life that day.

“I would have been killed if Globis did not give that warning,” said Ahmed. “Marines like Globis have earned our loyalty and respect and we feel privileged to fight along side them.”

Globis said he enjoys working with the soldiers and has learned good leadership skills, like patience and mentoring, because there is a language barrier between them and sometimes he has to teach the soldiers the same task more than once.

“The reason we selected Globis to work with the soldiers is because he is one of the most dependable and mature Marines in the company and accomplishes difficult missions, like leading soldiers on patrols, with little or no supervision,” said Charley.

Globis, and the rest of the Marines in 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, also known as “America’s Battalion,” are scheduled to return to Hawaii this fall and be replaced by another Hawaii-based unit.

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Cpl. Jeff Globis’ split-second decision to verbally warn near-by Marines and Iraqi soldiers of an approaching suicide bomber while he was standing post at a military outpost in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province allowed others to avoid a potentially life-threatening explosion. Globis, a native of Wynthrop Harbor, Ill., is a U.S. Marine currently serving with the Hawaii-based 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment in Iraq. Manning an observation point at the combat outpost, the 23-year-old infantryman saw a speeding truck break through the base’s protective barriers. Globis opened fire on the vehicle, which was loaded with hundreds of pounds of explosives, and warned others to take cover – acts which many here say saved their lives. “Globis saved several peoples’ lives that day,” said Staff Sgt. Richard Charley, a platoon sergeant. “He eliminated the driver of that vehicle before he could penetrate further into the compound and completely destroy the building.”

Photo by: Sgt. Roe F. Seigle

Security in Haditha Triad city comes one step at a time for Marines, Iraqi soldiers

Story by: Sgt. Roe F. Seigle

BARWANAH, Iraq(Aug. 2, 2006) -- Despite a recent rash of insurgent attacks, Marines in Barwanah say they are making notable progress equipping the Iraqi Army with the skills to take over security operations in this city of 30,000 nestled along the Euphrates River northwest of Baghdad.

Less than a month ago the soldiers and Marines formed a mounted mobile assault platoon – or “MAP,” as the Marines call it – capable of responding quickly to enemy attacks against Coalition Forces on foot.

The new platoon proved to be a big step for Iraqi forces – the MAP platoon captured eight insurgents after responding to a firefight between Marines on foot and local insurgents.

Mounted in humvees, the mobile assault platoon gives Iraqi Security Forces here the means to respond to incidents much quicker than on foot, said Capt. Michael Hudson, commanding officer of Lima Company of 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.

The Hawaii-based Marine battalion has spent four-plus months now in the Haditha Triad region, which includes Barwanah, fighting insurgents, working with locals to improve local economy and quality of life, and training Iraqi soldiers.

“We are spending all day patrolling the city with the Iraqi Army to combat insurgents and cut down on their attacks,” said 2nd Lt. Chris Toomey, 24, a Lima Company platoon commander. “I am impressed with the way the soldiers are handling the attacks and interacting with the local populace.”

When the soldiers are not on patrol in Barwanah’s dusty and winding streets, they’re spending a lot of time in a classroom reviewing skills such as map-reading, hand and arms signals and the use of escalation of force, said Toomey, a native of Arlington, Mass.

“The soldiers are thinking for themselves now,” said Toomey. “They know what to look for on patrols, such as possible IEDs and how to react to insurgent attacks.”

More notable progress came earlier this month when the company of Iraqi soldiers here, who are partnered with Lima Company, conducted an independent company-sized security operation – they cordoned-off and searched a village in the city for insurgents and weapons caches. The soldiers also talked to the local populace about future police recruitment.

The company of Iraqi soldiers is part of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division – the Iraqi Army battalion partnered with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines in the Haditha region.

So far, the battalion has conducted more than 10 independent company-level operations in the past half year, according to Lt. Col. Owen R. Lovejoy, team chief for 2nd Battalion’s military transition team.

“The IA (Iraqi Army) will fight well when they are trained, led, and equipped,” said Lovejoy via email. “(They) are learning and getting better.”

Still, there’s more work to be done in this region. There are no police forces within the Haditha Triad region – an area of about 75,000 people along the Euphrates.

The establishment of a police force is necessary for Iraqis to maintain law and order on their own, said Hudson.

Although the soldiers did not find any contraband during the operation, they showed they were capable of performing on their own – a necessity for them to relieve U.S. forces here of security operations one day, said Hudson.

“We are getting better every day at fighting the insurgents,” said 'Mohammed,' an Iraqi soldier serving alongside American Marines here. “Now that we are mobile, we can respond to situations even faster.”

The MAP’s quick response recently led to the capture of eight insurgents. The humvee-borne Iraqi soldiers even assisted the Marines in a gunfight against insurgents recently, and in a separate incident, responded to an IED discovery, providing security for their U.S. counterparts, who discovered the roadside bomb.

“None of this would have been possible for the soldiers to accomplish when the Marines arrived here in March because they did not have the necessary skills,” said Hudson, 33, and native of Concord, Calif.

Some Marines say their task of training soldiers and fighting insurgents is frustrating because of the long hours involved and the language barrier, but they are pleased with their progress nonetheless.

“We are constantly getting into firefights out here,” said Cpl. Rogelio Rodriguez, a 26-year-old squad leader. “I just tell the Marines to keep their cool and not return fire indiscriminately and they have done just that.”

Earlier this month Rodriguez, a native of Chicago, was attacked with mortars at an observation point. Moments after the initial mortars fell, a band of insurgents opened fire on the Marines with small-arms weapons. The Marines held their ground and returned fire and the insurgents fled.

For the last leg of their deployment, the Marines want local leaders to cooperate on recruiting police officers – deemed a “must have” by U.S. forces in order for the region to be stabilized and eventually allow U.S. forces to withdraw from the region, said Hudson. A police force means locals can provide their own security, as most police officers recruited from this region will return to serve in their hometowns.

“The insurgents are still intimidating the local leaders in the community that cooperate with coalition forces by threatening them with murder or kidnapping their loved ones,” said Hudson. “We are going after the insurgents every day and the Iraqi Army is spreading the word that we are going to recruit a police force no matter how long it takes.”

For those who qualify to become police officers, the pay can sometimes add up to more than what some doctors and lawyers in the community make, said Hudson.

“We are going to be persistent in fighting the insurgents and assembling a police (force), said Hudson. “We are taking the final days of this deployment one day at a time and focusing on improving the soldiers as much as possible for the incoming Marines that will relieve us.”

The 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, also known as “America’s Battalion,” is scheduled to depart Iraq later this year and will be replaced by another Hawaii-based unit.

Photos included with story: (Click on images for slightly larger version)

Pfc. Ethan Nagel, a 19-year-old Marine from Prior Lake, Minn., patrols through Barwanah, Iraq, July 29, 2006. Nagel is a rifleman with the Hawaii-based Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. Despite a recent rash of insurgent attacks, Marines from Lima Company say they are making notable progress equipping the Iraqi Army with the necessary skills to take over security operations in this city of 30,000 nestled along the Euphrates River northwest of Baghdad. Mounted in humvees, the mobile assault platoon gives Iraqi Security Forces here the means to respond to incidents much quicker than on foot. The MAP’s quick response recently led to the capture of 20 detainees. More notable progress came earlier this month when the company of Iraqi soldiers partnered with Lima Company conducted their first company-sized security operation: they cordoned-off and searched a village in the city for insurgents and weapons caches. The soldiers also talked to the local populace about future police recruitment – another step towards improving security conditions in the region. Photo by: Sgt. Roe F. Seigle

U.S. Marines from the Hawaii-based Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, search several locals in Barwanah, Iraq, July 29, 2006. The city of 30,000 in the country’s Al Anbar Province is located along the Euphrates River, where insurgents have been known to transport weapons caches. Despite a recent rash of insurgent attacks, Marines from Lima Company say they are making notable progress equipping the Iraqi Army with the necessary skills to take over security operations in this city of 30,000 nestled along the Euphrates River northwest of Baghdad. Mounted in humvees, the mobile assault platoon gives Iraqi Security Forces here the means to respond to incidents much quicker than on foot. The MAP’s quick response recently led to the capture of 20 detainees. More notable progress came earlier this month when the company of Iraqi soldiers partnered with Lima Company conducted their first company-sized security operation: they cordoned-off and searched a village in the city for insurgents and weapons caches. The soldiers also talked to the local populace about future police recruitment – another step towards improving security conditions in the region. Photo by: Sgt. Roe F. Seigle

Iraqi soldiers take the lead in a patrol with U.S. Marines July 29, 2006, in Barwanah – a city in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province. The Iraqi soldiers, and Marines assigned to the Hawaii-based Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, often patrol together to hunt down insurgents and provide security in Barwanah, Iraq – a city of 30,000 along the Euphrates River in Al Anbar Province. Despite a recent rash of insurgent attacks, Marines from Lima Company say they are making notable progress equipping the Iraqi Army with the necessary skills to take over security operations in this city of 30,000 nestled along the Euphrates River northwest of Baghdad. Mounted in humvees, the mobile assault platoon gives Iraqi Security Forces here the means to respond to incidents much quicker than on foot. The MAP’s quick response recently led to the capture of 20 detainees. More notable progress came earlier this month when the company of Iraqi soldiers partnered with Lima Company conducted their first company-sized security operation: they cordoned-off and searched a village in the city for insurgents and weapons caches. The soldiers also talked to the local populace about future police recruitment – another step towards improving security conditions in the region. Photo by: Sgt. Roe F. Seigle

An Iraqi soldier searches boats used by merchants to transport goods across the Euphrates River, July 29, 2006, in Barwanah, Iraq. The soldiers, and the Marines assigned to the Hawaii-based Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, often patrol the river in search of insurgents who use boats to transport weapons. Despite a recent rash of insurgent attacks, Marines from Lima Company say they are making notable progress equipping the Iraqi Army with the necessary skills to take over security operations in this city of 30,000 nestled along the Euphrates River northwest of Baghdad. Mounted in humvees, the mobile assault platoon gives Iraqi Security Forces here the means to respond to incidents much quicker than on foot. The MAP’s quick response recently led to the capture of 20 detainees. More notable progress came earlier this month when the company of Iraqi soldiers partnered with Lima Company conducted their first company-sized security operation: they cordoned-off and searched a village in the city for insurgents and weapons caches. The soldiers also talked to the local populace about future police recruitment – another step towards improving security conditions in the region. Photo by: Sgt. Roe F. Seigle

Cpl. Daniel Robert, a 22-year-old Marine from Philadelphia, Pa. and squad leader assigned to the Hawaii-based Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, scans a portion of the Euphrates River July 29, 2006 in Barwanah, Iraq. Despite a recent rash of insurgent attacks, Marines from Lima Company say they are making notable progress equipping the Iraqi Army with the necessary skills to take over security operations in this city of 30,000 nestled along the Euphrates River northwest of Baghdad. Mounted in humvees, the mobile assault platoon gives Iraqi Security Forces here the means to respond to incidents much quicker than on foot. The MAP’s quick response recently led to the capture of 20 detainees. More notable progress came earlier this month when the company of Iraqi soldiers partnered with Lima Company conducted their first company-sized security operation: they cordoned-off and searched a village in the city for insurgents and weapons caches. The soldiers also talked to the local populace about future police recruitment – another step towards improving security conditions in the region. Photo by: Sgt. Roe F. Seigle

Marines assigned to the Hawaii-based Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment search a car with the assistance of an Iraqi soldier July 29, 2006, during a foot patrol in Barwanah, Iraq. Despite a recent rash of insurgent attacks, Marines from Lima Company say they are making notable progress equipping the Iraqi Army with the necessary skills to take over security operations in this city of 30,000 nestled along the Euphrates River northwest of Baghdad. Mounted in humvees, the mobile assault platoon gives Iraqi Security Forces here the means to respond to incidents much quicker than on foot. The MAP’s quick response recently led to the capture of 20 detainees. More notable progress came earlier this month when the company of Iraqi soldiers partnered with Lima Company conducted their first company-sized security operation: they cordoned-off and searched a village in the city for insurgents and weapons caches. The soldiers also talked to the local populace about future police recruitment – another step towards improving security conditions in the region. Photo by: Sgt. Roe F. Seigle

Pfc. Kenneth Dickerson, a 19-year-old Marine from Clive, Iowa, assigned to the Hawaii-based Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, looks over a map July 29, 2006 with Cpl. Daniel Robert, a 22-year-old squad leader, during a patrol in Barwanah, Iraq. Despite a recent rash of insurgent attacks, Marines from Lima Company say they are making notable progress equipping the Iraqi Army with the necessary skills to take over security operations in this city of 30,000 nestled along the Euphrates River northwest of Baghdad. Mounted in humvees, the mobile assault platoon gives Iraqi Security Forces here the means to respond to incidents much quicker than on foot. The MAP’s quick response recently led to the capture of 20 detainees. More notable progress came earlier this month when the company of Iraqi soldiers partnered with Lima Company conducted their first company-sized security operation: they cordoned-off and searched a village in the city for insurgents and weapons caches. The soldiers also talked to the local populace about future police recruitment – another step towards improving security conditions in the region. Photo by: Sgt. Roe F. Seigle

Cpl. Daniel Robert, a 22-year-old Marine from Philadelphia, Pa. and squad leader assigned to the Hawaii-based Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, watches locals work on the piers of Barwanah, Iraq, along the Euphrates River July 29, 2006. Despite a recent rash of insurgent attacks, Marines from Lima Company say they are making notable progress equipping the Iraqi Army with the necessary skills to take over security operations in this city of 30,000 nestled along the Euphrates River northwest of Baghdad. Mounted in humvees, the mobile assault platoon gives Iraqi Security Forces here the means to respond to incidents much quicker than on foot. The MAP’s quick response recently led to the capture of 20 detainees. More notable progress came earlier this month when the company of Iraqi soldiers partnered with Lima Company conducted their first company-sized security operation: they cordoned-off and searched a village in the city for insurgents and weapons caches. The soldiers also talked to the local populace about future police recruitment – another step towards improving security conditions in the region.

Photo by: Sgt. Roe F. Seigle

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